Outdoor salt dispenser

ABSTRACT

An outdoor salt dispenser, for snow and ice removal for use on sidewalks, driveways and the like, includes either a corrugated cardboard or plastic container with perforations in the top side and three handles, located one on each opposite side and one on the bottom.

United States Patent 1 1 Schmechel 1 Sept. 17, 1974 1 OUTDOOR SALT DISPENSER [76] Inventor: Robert W. Schmechel, 3454 W.

Wrightwood, Chicago, 111. 60647 22 Fiied: Jan. 8, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 322,062

[52] US. Cl 222/175, 222/565, 229/17 B [51] Int. Cl B67d 5/64 [58] Field of Search 222/565, 466, 175, 185,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,007,570 11/1961 Davidson 206/56 R 3,107,822 10/1963 Regenstein 229/17 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 184,863 9/1954 Austria 229/52 A Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-James M. Slattery [57] ABSTRACT An outdoor salt dispenser, for snow and ice removal for use on sidewalks, driveways and the like, includes either a corrugated cardboard or plastic container with perforations in the top side and three handles, located one on each opposite side and one on the bottom.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 OUTDOOR SALT DISPENSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This present invention relates to salt dispensers but more particularly directed to large salt dispensers for outside use on sidewalks, driveways and the like, for removal of snow and ice.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior art on this area revolves around dispensers for home use in kitchens, dining tables, barbecue pits and other uses, but not a salt dispenser for outside use to melt ice and snow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The common accepted method for melting snow and ice on large areas such as streets, sidewalks, and driveways is to spread salt. Millions of pounds of salt are used during winter months for this purpose alone. The common method employed by homeowners of spreading salt on driveways, sidewalks, patios, stairways and the like, since they purchase salt for this purpose in several pound bags, is to scoop a handful and broadcast it on the area where ice or snow is to be melted.

The biggest disadvantage of this method, besides being laborious, is the very uneven distribution of salt.

It is then the main object of the present invention to provide a means for even spreading or distribution of salt.

Another object is to offer a simple, inexpensive way of packaging for the purpose mentioned above, while at the same time, the package or container itself is the salt spreader.

Still another object of my invention, is to offer a streamlined looking container-spreader, that is easy and simple to store, stack and handle.

The descriptions of the illustrated drawings attached will show additional advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the salt dispenser with the perforations covered.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the salt dispenser ready for use.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the salt dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, wherein is illustrated a salt dispenser designated by the numeral 5. The dispenser includes a rectangular container 6, having rounded edges and constructed of either a corrugated cardboard with non-stick coating 18, on all inside surfaces, or constructed of plastic. (Drawing attached illustrates corrugated cardboard construction). The container 6 has top 7, with perforations 8. Said perforations 8 are of reasonable size to prevent clogging with salt during application. Handles 9, made of corrugated cardboard are attached to two opposite sides of container and handle attached to bottom.

Describing now the components and the sequence of construction, the rectangular container 6 is constructed with four sides, one side having overlap flange 23, top flap, said flap having side flanges, said flanges fastened to sides of container with staples l2. Longitudinal side flap 23, also fastened to adjacent side with staples 12. Construction thus far results in a five sided container with bottom flap unattached. Handles 9, which are also of corrugated cardboard, and made by punching out an off-center square hole 10, said handles attached in position, to the two opposite sides of container by staples 12, said staples reasonably spaced on portion 11, of the handle 9. A thinner rectangular cardboard piece 17, equal in size to the top 7 of the container 6, is placed over the perforations 8. A reasonably strong transparent plastic sheet 15, larger in area than said top 7, is positioned over the cardboard piece 17, with the excess portion overhanging edges of container. Tape 16, of precut length, having pull string 14, adheringly running approximately in the longitudinal center of said tape 16, said string being longer than the tape, so that portion 14a of string extends past end of tape 16. Said tape is then tightly wrapped around container above edge 15a of said plastic sheet 15. Said plastic sheet is pulled taut to the vertical sides of container 6. Precut tape 16, with string 14, being longer than the perimeter of the corresponding rectangle, hence, tape 16 with string 14 overlaps tape end 16a.

The container then is placed, resting on its perforated top, holes now being covered. Container is then filled with salt 24, to a certain prescribed level. The final assembly is performed by folding bottom 19, at 21, fastening said bottom at 21 and around flanges 22 with staples 12.

Handles 9, bend outward for easy holding, allowing the container-dispenser to be shaken during process of spreading salt if necessary. It is obvious from the illustrated drawings, that the construction is very simple yet reasonably rugged and functional.

I claim:

1. A combined package and dispensing device intended for the packaging and dispensing of granular type of salt comprising a hollow box-like rectangular container having a horizontal top wall surface, a horizontal bottom wall surface, opposed front and back vertically extending wall surfaces, and opposed vertically extending side wall surfaces, the surfaces defining therebetween interiorly thereof a compartment for the storage of granular salt therein, the interior surfaces of each of the top, bottom, front, back, and side walls being coated with a non-stick substance to prevent the adherence of salt in the compartment to the side surfaces, a multiplicity of spaced apart apertures disposed in the top wall surface and extending completely therethrough placing the interior compartment in communication with the surrounding atmosphere, a plurality of handle means, one handle means associated with each of the side wall surfaces and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom, one separate handle means connected with the bottom wall surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, each of the handle means being substantially identical in construction and formed separately from the container, means securing each handle means to the container, and disposable cover means adapted to completely cover the exterior of the top wall surface and overlap the edges thereof onto the top portions of the adjoining front and back and side wall surfaces, and means for temporarily securing the cover means to the container.

2. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cover means comprises a substantially flat rectangularly shaped length of substantially rigid material of a size and configuration to completely overlap all of the perforations in the top wall surface while lying within the boundaries defined by the peripheral edges of the top wall surface so as to not extend beyond such boundaries in any direction, and a thin sheet of flexible transparent material of a size to overlie the rigid material and overlap the adjoining top portions of the front, back and side wall surfaces in a snug manner to securely hold the rigid material in position adjacent the perforations, the flexible material being formed of a non-porous substance, and means securing the flexible material to the container in a substantially air-tight manner to seal the container interior compartment from the surrounding atmosphere.

3. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for securing the flexible sheet of material to the container comprises a strip of tape adapted to be wrapped completely about the portions of the flexible material overlapping the front, back and side wall surfaces in a manner extending completely thereabout defining a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the top wall surface and spaced vertically downwardly therefrom, the ends of the strip overlapping to tightly retain the sheet material to the container, a pull string disposed longitudinally through the tape and extending outwardly of one end thereof in a position adapted to be grasped between the fingers of an individuals hand in a manner to remove the tape from the container when desired to open the same.

4. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the handle means comprises a first handle assembly secured to one of the side wall surfaces, a second handle assembly secured to the other side wall surface, a third handle assembly secured to the bottom wall surface, each of the first, second and third handle assemblies being substantially identical in construction and comprising a substantially flat rectangular sheet of material having a rectangular finger opening disposed therein, one portion of the material adjacent the finger opening secured to the associated wall surface of the container by a plurality of staple like fasteners, a score line disposed intermediate the secured stapled portion and the finger opening and extending across the complete width of the handle member, the handle member normally lying in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall surface with which is is associated and adapted to be pivotally swung about the score line outwardly from the associated wall surface for use of the same.

5. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 4 further comprising all of the wall surfaces formed of a single sheet of flat material, such material being bent to define the respective wall surfaces with rounded edges between the side wall surfaces and the front and back wall surfaces, the top wall surface being joined integrally with one of the wall surfaces and securely fastened by staples to the other wall surfaces, the bottom wall surface being integrally joined with one of the wall surfaces and then joined to the remaining wall surfaces by being stapled thereto, the bottom wall surface projecting inwardly from the peripheral bottom edges of the front, back and side wall surfaces to form flange like members completely surrounding the perimeter of the bottom wall surface, staples penetrating through such flange like members to secure the bottom surface to the adjoining vertical wall surfaces, and the handle member associated with the bottom wall surface being of a thickness less than the depth of the flange members such that the handle member does not extend beyond the plane defined by the bottom perimeter ends of the flange members. 

1. A combined package and dispensing device intended for the packaging and dispensing of granular type of salt comprising a hollow box-like rectangular container having a horizontal top wall surface, a horizontal bottom wall surface, opposed front and back vertically extending wall surfaces, and opposed vertically extending side wall surfaces, the surfaces defining therebetween interiorly thereof a compartment for the storage of granular salt therein, the interior surfaces of each of the top, bottom, front, back, and side walls being coated with a non-stick substance to prevent the adherence of salt in the compartment to the side surfaces, a multiplicity of spaced apart apertures disposed in the top wall surface and extending completely therethrough placing the interior compartment in communication with the surrounding atmosphere, a plurality of handle means, one handle means associated with each of the side wall surfaces and projecting laterally outwardly therefrom, one separate handle means connected with the bottom wall surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, each of the handle means being substantially identical in construction and formed separately from the container, means securing each handle means to the container, and disposable cover means adapted to completely cover the exterior of the top wall surface and overlap the edges thereof onto the top portions of the adjoining front and back and side wall surfaces, and means for temporarily securing the cover means to the container.
 2. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cover means comprises a substantially flat rectangularly shaped length of substantially rigid material of a size and configuration to completely overlap all of the perforations in the top wall surface while lying within the boundaries defined by the peripheral edges of the top wall surface so as to not extend beyond such boundaries in any direction, and a thin sheet of flexible transparent material of a size to overlie the rigid material and overlap the adjoining top portions of the front, back and side wall surfaces in a snug manner to securely hold the rigid material in position adjacent the perforations, the flexible material being formed of a non-porous substance, and means securing the flexible material to the container in a substantially air-tight manner to seal the container interior compartment from the surrounding atmosphere.
 3. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 2 wherein the means for seCuring the flexible sheet of material to the container comprises a strip of tape adapted to be wrapped completely about the portions of the flexible material overlapping the front, back and side wall surfaces in a manner extending completely thereabout defining a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the top wall surface and spaced vertically downwardly therefrom, the ends of the strip overlapping to tightly retain the sheet material to the container, a pull string disposed longitudinally through the tape and extending outwardly of one end thereof in a position adapted to be grasped between the fingers of an individual''s hand in a manner to remove the tape from the container when desired to open the same.
 4. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the handle means comprises a first handle assembly secured to one of the side wall surfaces, a second handle assembly secured to the other side wall surface, a third handle assembly secured to the bottom wall surface, each of the first, second and third handle assemblies being substantially identical in construction and comprising a substantially flat rectangular sheet of material having a rectangular finger opening disposed therein, one portion of the material adjacent the finger opening secured to the associated wall surface of the container by a plurality of staple like fasteners, a score line disposed intermediate the secured stapled portion and the finger opening and extending across the complete width of the handle member, the handle member normally lying in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall surface with which is is associated and adapted to be pivotally swung about the score line outwardly from the associated wall surface for use of the same.
 5. The combined package and dispensing device as set forth in claim 4 further comprising all of the wall surfaces formed of a single sheet of flat material, such material being bent to define the respective wall surfaces with rounded edges between the side wall surfaces and the front and back wall surfaces, the top wall surface being joined integrally with one of the wall surfaces and securely fastened by staples to the other wall surfaces, the bottom wall surface being integrally joined with one of the wall surfaces and then joined to the remaining wall surfaces by being stapled thereto, the bottom wall surface projecting inwardly from the peripheral bottom edges of the front, back and side wall surfaces to form flange like members completely surrounding the perimeter of the bottom wall surface, staples penetrating through such flange like members to secure the bottom surface to the adjoining vertical wall surfaces, and the handle member associated with the bottom wall surface being of a thickness less than the depth of the flange members such that the handle member does not extend beyond the plane defined by the bottom perimeter ends of the flange members. 